The Ken Burns Documentary Quiz

Filmmaker and historian Ken Burns has made some of the most compelling and important documentaries of our time. But do you know your "Ashokan Farewell" from your Eleanor Roosevelt? Take this quiz to jump into the sepia-soaked world of public television.

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Question 1 of 30

Before we jump into his films, let's do our own little investigation into Ken Burns himself. Where was Burns born?

Brooklyn

Burns was born in Brooklyn, although he now lives in New Hampshire.

Michigan

Long Island

Question 2 of 30

What did Burns study in college?

architecture

film

Although at Hampshire College — Burns' alma mater — there weren't strict disciplines for study.

history

Question 3 of 30

Burns' co-founded a film production company called what?

Big History Films

Florentine Films

The company was founded in 1976.

Docs for Dough Films

Question 4 of 30

What was the subject of Burns' first film?

James Madison

the Adirondack chair

the Brooklyn Bridge

The famous bridge became Burns' first muse.

Question 5 of 30

How old was Burns when "Brooklyn Bridge" aired?

19

28

Burns had begun working on the project years before, but the result aired in 1981.

40

Question 6 of 30

Where did "Brooklyn Bridge" find an audience?

VHS tapes passed around by friends

indie cinema

PBS

The movie aired on PBS, starting a lifelong partnership between Burns and the Public Broadcasting System.

Question 7 of 30

What minority Christian religion was the subject of Burns' second documentary feature?

the Quakers

the Shakers

"The Shakers: Hands to Work, Hearts to God" traced the history and principles of the Shaker religion.

the Amish

Question 8 of 30

What other iconic American monument did Burns make a documentary about?

the Statue of Liberty

"The Statue of Liberty" aired on PBS in 1985.

the Vietnam Memorial

the Washington Monument

Question 9 of 30

What respected historian has narrated many of Burns' films?

Stephen Ambrose

Doris Kearns Goodwin

David McCullough

McCullough's book about the Brooklyn Bridge also inspired Burns' interest in it.

Question 10 of 30

What artist did Burns choose as a subject for a 1988 film?

Diego Rivera

Jackson Pollock

Thomas Hart Benton

Benton's work depicted a rough and tumble version of American life.

Question 11 of 30

Burns' 2005 feature "Unforgivable Blackness" detailed the life of …

James Baldwin

Jack Johnson

The turn-of-the-century boxer was voiced by Samuel L. Jackson in the film.

Miles Davis

Question 12 of 30

In 1992, Burns turned to another medium as the subject for a film. What was it?

radio

"Empire of the Air" traced the history and decline of the airwaves through three of its pioneers.

screenprinting

textile art

Question 13 of 30

What politician did Ken Burns NOT make a documentary about?

Huey Long

Thomas Jefferson

Harry Truman

But hey, give him time.

Question 14 of 30

How many episodes was Burns' "Civil War" series?

5

12

9

The nine-part series aired in 1990.

Question 15 of 30

How many archival photographs were included in the series?

5,000

16,000

One of the first military engagements fought after the advent of photography, Burns and his crew scoured the historical record for images.

1 million

Question 16 of 30

How many viewers watched the original "Civil War" on PBS?

15 million

25 million

40 million

The airing was a significant network event.

Question 17 of 30

What's the name of the original musical theme composed for the series?

"Ashokan Farewell"

Fiddliest Jay Ungar wrote the tune before the series, but presented it to Burns when composing the soundtrack for the film.

"War Is Hell"

"Battle Scars"

Question 18 of 30

What historian was the primary on-camera interview for "The Civil War?"

Shelby Foote

Foote's gentle Southern drawl proved extremely popular with viewers.

Doris Kearns Goodwin

Barbara J. Fields

Question 19 of 30

What actor voiced Abraham Lincoln in the film?

Sam Waterston

The veteran actor gave necessary gravitas to Lincoln's written words.

Tom Cruise

Jerry Orbach

Question 20 of 30

How many episodes are in Burns' 1994 film "Baseball?"

5

9

Nine innings, nine episodes.

12

Question 21 of 30

What famous actor was an interview subject for "Baseball?"

Steven Spielberg

Tom Hanks

Billy Crystal

The comedian is a life-long Yankees fan.

Question 22 of 30

The 2007 series "The War" faced controversy for what?

omitting mention of internment camps

omitting mention of Pearl Harbor

not including Latino, Native American and female experiences

Burns later added in footage of Native American and Latino soldiers.

Question 23 of 30

What musical genre did Burns turn his lens to in 2001?

Jazz

"Jazz" was a study of both the genre and cultural history behind it.

Rock and roll

Swing

Question 24 of 30

Burns' film "Central Park Five" tells the story of five young men of color who were wrongfully convicted of raping a white woman. After the documentary aired in 2013, what happened to the men?

They were arrested again.

New York City finally agreed to a multi-million dollar settlement for them.

The men had filed a civil suit in 2003.

They were freed from jail.

Question 25 of 30

In 2010, Burns returned to a former film to add two more episodes. Which film was it?

"The West"

"Baseball"

In "Baseball: The Tenth Inning," Burns updated the last two decades of MLB history.

"Jazz"

Question 26 of 30

What famous American family got its due from Burns in a 2014 film?

the Roosevelt family

Centered on Theodore, Eleanor and Franklin, the film explained the tumultuous history that accompanied the family's place in political power.

the Addams family

the Kennedy family

Question 27 of 30

What was NOT a subject of Burns'?

Prohibition

the Dust Bowl

the history of the phone book

Although if anyone could make the phone book come to life. . .

Question 28 of 30

Burns has won what?

an Academy Award

MacArthur "Genius" Award

Peabody, Emmy and Grammy Awards

Among other awards and citations, he's also been nominated for two Academy Awards.

Question 29 of 30

Barak Goodman directed the documentary "Cancer: The Emperor of All Maladies." What was Burns' credit for on the film?

executive producer, senior consultant and writer

Burns' also took a producing credit on 1996's "The West."

writer

producer

Question 30 of 30

Burns' latest film is "Jackie Robinson." Who voices the pioneering ballplayer?